Vote 'Aye' and It's Bye-Bye, Netanyahu Tells Ministers

Channel 2 says any minister or deputy minister who votes for Regulation Law Wednesday will be sacked.

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Gil Ronen, 05/06/12 20:58

Binyamin Netanyahu

Israel news photo: Flash 90

The Prime Minister's Bureau has contacted all ministers and deputy ministers and made clear that the government opposes the proposed Regulation Law that will come up for a vote Wednesday.

The law would make it possible to compensate land owners who were wronged in construction of communities in Judea and Samaria, without having to hand over the land or tear down homes built upon it.

Channel 2 News reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's men made clear to the ministers and deputies that if any of them vote in favor of the Regulation Law, they will be fired from the government.

The main brunt of the threat is directed toward Minister of Diaspora and Public Affairs Yuli Edelstein and Minister of Science and Technology Daniel Hershkowitz, who are the only two ministers who have not flinched in stating their intention to support the law.

In addition, Likud deputy ministers Ayoub Kara and Gila Gamliel also stated Tuesday that they would support the law even if they pay a political price.

It is not clear how Yisrael Beytenu's ministers will vote, in view of the fact that Kadima's recent entry into the coalition has changed the balance of power. Even if Yisrael Beytenu leaves the coalition, it will still enjoy a comfortable majority in the Knesset.